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International Test Matches
2014 QBE Internationals [EOYT] England
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<blockquote data-quote="Peat" data-source="post: 695069" data-attributes="member: 42330"><p>It's both. </p><p></p><p>I sometimes wonder if we're being too harsh on Lancaster because, come on, let's be real, what's so great about this current crop of players? Who among them is World Class? Who among them is a really experienced test player at the peak of their powers? Who really ticks the box as an athlete, as a decision maker and as a technical player?</p><p></p><p>When it comes to the backline we have big glaring question marks at 9-10-12. That's the brain of the team right there, the heartbeat of the backline. The moment we lose Manu as well the question mark goes up over 13 as well plus we lose our biggest attacking edge. But everywhere we look - players with streaky form, players with incomplete skillsets or questionable fitness, or simply lacking experience and cohesion with each other.</p><p></p><p>Now, I don't want to exonerate Lancaster & co completely. When it comes to fitting a gameplan to players, when it comes to picking the best possible team for a way of playing, consistency of selection, they've shown a lot of frailty. Take the 12 situation - he's flip-flopped like mad over that. But I think it would take a great coach to have turned this lot into a consistent top 3 in the world team.</p><p></p><p>Anyway, I've sorta lost the track of things here. The reality is no coach on earth can turn Barritt into an international quality outside-centre when it comes to attack. Maybe a team of scientists could, but there's nothing coaches can do about the fact he is short of power and pace. Maybe you could give him such a surfeit of space, time and support runners that he'd look fantastic but I don't think we have backs that good to provide it. Which is reason enough to turn him out at the earliest opportunity*. Solve both centres. Just because we can't solve the coaches as well doesn't mean we shouldn't solve the centres.</p><p></p><p>Not to be too hard on anyone. They're clearly good at what they do, by and large. But they're going up against people who are great at it. England need to upskill as many positions as possible - coaches as well would be great but hey...</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Peat, post: 695069, member: 42330"] It's both. I sometimes wonder if we're being too harsh on Lancaster because, come on, let's be real, what's so great about this current crop of players? Who among them is World Class? Who among them is a really experienced test player at the peak of their powers? Who really ticks the box as an athlete, as a decision maker and as a technical player? When it comes to the backline we have big glaring question marks at 9-10-12. That's the brain of the team right there, the heartbeat of the backline. The moment we lose Manu as well the question mark goes up over 13 as well plus we lose our biggest attacking edge. But everywhere we look - players with streaky form, players with incomplete skillsets or questionable fitness, or simply lacking experience and cohesion with each other. Now, I don't want to exonerate Lancaster & co completely. When it comes to fitting a gameplan to players, when it comes to picking the best possible team for a way of playing, consistency of selection, they've shown a lot of frailty. Take the 12 situation - he's flip-flopped like mad over that. But I think it would take a great coach to have turned this lot into a consistent top 3 in the world team. Anyway, I've sorta lost the track of things here. The reality is no coach on earth can turn Barritt into an international quality outside-centre when it comes to attack. Maybe a team of scientists could, but there's nothing coaches can do about the fact he is short of power and pace. Maybe you could give him such a surfeit of space, time and support runners that he'd look fantastic but I don't think we have backs that good to provide it. Which is reason enough to turn him out at the earliest opportunity*. Solve both centres. Just because we can't solve the coaches as well doesn't mean we shouldn't solve the centres. Not to be too hard on anyone. They're clearly good at what they do, by and large. But they're going up against people who are great at it. England need to upskill as many positions as possible - coaches as well would be great but hey... [/QUOTE]
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2014 QBE Internationals [EOYT] England
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